Primer for ammunition



Patented Jan. 14, 193 6 UNITED/STATES. PATENT OFFICE PRHHER FOR AMlVIUNITION George H. Jacobs, Kings Mills, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Peters Cartridge Company, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application October 7, 1931,

Serial No. 567,525

4 Claims.

by-a paper or tinfoil disc which is .held in place by a similar adhesive. The rim fire primers are contained in the head of the cartridge case withprise a detonating agent, a and an oxidizing agent. The properties of these three classes of bodies and their proportions must be adjusted in relation to the arms in which the ammunition is to be used, and'in relation to the prov pellant powder used in the ammunition to the end that the priming mixture be appropriately sensitive to the action of the firing pins in existing arms and that the most eflicient propellant powders be appropriately ignited by the priming mixture.

This invention comprises in its broader aspect,

providing a fuel component of the priming mixture which produces a heat of combustion and maximum temperature of explosion of the priming mixture sufflciently high in value to ignite emciently all types of propellant powders.

The invention is also directed to a fuel componerit of the priming mixture which provides said requisite heat of combustion and maximum temperature of explosion when used in combination with special oxidizing agents which do not cause rusting or corrosion of the barrel of the fire arm in which the ammunition is used. These oxidizing agents'which are adapted to inhibit rather than accelerate corrosion of the barrel of the fire arm, usually comprise nitrates and 1 chromates.

While the new fuel ofthis invention is adapted.

to provide the desired thermal properties discussed above, it is particularly and peculiarly adapted .to cooperate with the rustless oxidizing agentsto provide the desired thermal conditions Zirconium -Q.

without detracting from the rustless characteristics of the oxidizing agents."

V The new fuel element of this invention is exemplified by metallic zirconium.

In carrying out my invention as a priming mix- 5 ture for rim fire cartridges, I may use substantially the following: E

' Per cent Fulminate of mercury 30-50 Barium nitrate 10-30 1 Leadchromate.. 2-20 Lead sulphocyanate 3-15 Ground glass 15-35 In carrying outmy invention as a priming mix- 1 ture for'center fire cartridges, I may use substantially the following: ,y

I Percent Eulmlnate of mercury 20-40 Barium nitrate 25-45 Lead chromate 2-15 Lead sulphocyanate 5-25 Zirconium 2-30 These proportions, however, may be varieds o 2 as to meet the requirements of the different propellant powders and different caliber cartridges.

In proceeding to make my improved priming mixture the barium nitrate, lead chromate, lead sulphocyanate and ground glass are weighed out, 3

1 screened and mixed dry. The zirconium either in a dampened or dry state is then weighed out and mixed in the above mixture. The fulminate in a dampened state is then weighed out and added, together with a small quantity of a gum 3 solution, to the mixture and the whole thoroughly 1 mixed until the ingredients are evenly distributed. The mixture is then ready for use in the manufacture of center fire-primers or primed rim fire cartridge shel1s.-

I also find that I may use other detonating agents such as lead trinitroresorsinate, or lead azide in place of the mercury fulminate. Also I may substitute lead nitrate, basic lead nitrate, strontium nitrate, or lead peroxide in place of the 4 barium nitrate or lead chromate. Also I may substitute other fuel agents such as antimony sulin the scope of my invention. 5

The most important ingredient in my improved rustiess priming mixture is embodied in the use oi. powdered metallic zirconium. The heat of combustion oi. zirconium is 1957 calories per gram which is greatly in excess 01 any ent heretoiore used in priming mixtures. zirconium is also extremely stable when stored under high heat and humidity conditions and the products of combustion, when zirconium is burned, will not cause rust or corrosion of the barrel of the firearm in which it is used.

Having described my invention, I desire to be limited only by the ensuing claims:

1. A non-corrosive priming mixture comprising iulminate of mercury, barium nitrate, lead chromate, lead suipiiocyanate, and powdered metallic zirconium.

2. A non-corrosive priming mixture containing to 50% iulminate of mercury, 10% to 45% barium nitrate, 2% to 20% lead chromate. 3% to lead sulphocyanate, 2% to zirconium and up to ground glass.

3. A non-corrosive priming mixture comprising a combustion initiating agent, nitrates and chromates as oxidizing agents, and zirconium as a 10 fuel.

4. A non-corrosive priming mixture comprising a combustion initiating agent, nitrates and chromates as oxidizing agents, and powdered metallic zirconium'and lead sulphocyanate as a fuel. 16

GEORGE H. JACOBS. 

